Abner Tompkins was among them in a minute, and declared the prisoner free by the authority of Abraham Lincoln.
When released, Diggs sprang to his feet and, in his joy, embraced the preacher, embraced the officers and would have embraced the soldiers, had not one threateningly pointed his bayonet at him.
As they returned to the village, all pleased with the happy result, Corporal Grimm, approaching the minister, said:
"I shall always hereafter be a believer in the saving power of prayer. Praying often and praying long, does the work."
CHAPTER XXIII. THE ABDUCTION.
The Union forces stationed at Snagtown did not remain there many days after the event related in the last chapter. Diggs was paroled, and the regiments ordered into Winter quarters at the Junction. The retirement of the Union forces was followed by predatory incursions of the Confederates, who were encamped just across the Twin Mountains. Small parties on foraging expeditions frequently crossed the latter, and greatly harassed the citizens in and around Snagtown.
Since the last battle of Snagtown and the Confederate defeat, the peace and quiet of the Tompkins mansion was broken. Mrs. Tompkins openly and warmly avowed her principles, and Mr. Tompkins, old as he was, had almost decided to enlist in the ranks of the Union army and fight for his country.
Irene could range herself with neither party; her sympathies were too equally divided.